The $108.2 million in sales marks a 27 percent improvement compared to the year-ago quarter when it raked in $14.5 million, or 48 cents a share, on sales of $85 million.

For the year, Dallas Semiconductor earned $68.3 million, or $2.21 a share, on sales of $392.4 million, up 15 percent from fiscal 1998 when it earned $55.4 million, or $1.85 a share, on sales of $342.6 million.

"We are pleased to report record results for both the fourth quarter and year 1999," said CEO Vin Prothro in a prepared release. "It is gratifying that 15 years out of the Company's 16-year history have produced record sales."

Its shares moved up to a 52-week high of 64 15/16 in December after bottoming out at 33 1/16 in March.

Analysts are expecting it to earn $2.62 a share in fiscal 2000.

Among other technology companies reporting earnings Thursday:

Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) also plowed past analysts' estimates in its third quarter, raking in $28.2 million, or 52 cents a share, on sales of $129.2 million.

First Call consensus expected the chipmaker to earn 47 cents a share in the quarter.

Its shares closed up 3 15/16 to 71 1/4 ahead of the earnings report.

"Microchip's business fundamentals continued to be excellent in the December quarter," said CEO Steve Sanghi in a prepared release. "In addition to generating record sales and earnings dollars, the company achieved new records for gross margin performance, operating expense efficiency and operating profit percentage."

The $129.2 million in sales represents a 29 percent improvement compared to the year-ago quarter when it made $17.8 million, or 34 cents a share, on sales of $100 million.